New Year’s Promises instead of Resolutions
New Year’s Promises
Some people think that promises were made to be broken. I couldn’t disagree more. A man or woman’s word should be as good as a signed contract. If I promise you something I am going to do my best to make it happen. Resolutions, on the other hand, I don’t take as seriously. Resolutions usually concern weight, money or something about our health. The promises I made to myself this year have to do with my grandchildren.
Why am I making promises to myself? Because I know I am in the 4th quarter of my life and I want my grandchildren to remember certain things about me.
1. I want them to see me with my nose in a book. My mother was a big reader and taught reading at our local elementary school. It never ceases to amaze me how many of her former students still remember her influence on their reading skills. Mom died 35 years ago and her love of reading lives on through her former students and her children. I want my grandchildren to have a love of reading. I buy them books and love reading to them. Their parents read to them, too. I especially want them to see Poppa and me reading the Bible and I want them to know that the Bible is the source of our hope and faith.
2. I want to continue promoting family time. After Christmas we spent 3 days at a cabin on the lake. It’s winter and it rained but we were all together. We enjoyed playing games and watching the two youngest grandchildren put on a show (sing, dance and act silly). Due to illness and one son and daughter-in-law living in California, not everyone could attend but we still had a house full of love!
3. I want to do better about spending one on one time with my older grandchildren. They are busy. I am busy. But the only way to grow a relationship is by spending time together. Even if it’s a quick lunch or a snack together after a ballgame I want to do more one on one time.
4. I want my gift giving to be more intentional. This Christmas I gave my two older granddaughter’s mustard seed necklaces. I included a note about why I wanted them to know the importance of the mustard seed and faith. I told them how proud I was of them and the decisions they have made. You can read more about the necklaces in the previous post.
New Year’s Promises Matter More
Today’s society may not place as much value on a promise as previous generations but I know several people who still do and I’m one of them. Memories are important and when I leave this earth I want my grandchildren to know they are my legacy and that my love and Gods love will be with them all the days of their lives.
